R-016: Placebo-controlled trial of cytisine for smoking cessation
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Research ID | R-016 |
| Authors | West R, Zatonski W, Cedzynska M, et al. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Journal / publisher | New England Journal of Medicine |
| DOI | 10.1056/NEJMoa1102035 |
| PMID | Not reported |
| ISBN | Not reported |
| Research type | Randomized Controlled Trial (single-center, double-blind) |
| Evidence strength | Strong |
| Population | 740 adult daily smokers in Poland |
| Intervention | Cytisine 25-day course (1.5 mg tablets, tapering schedule) |
| Comparator | Placebo |
| Last verified | 2026-10-04 |
Main question
Is cytisine more effective than placebo for smoking cessation?
Main findings
Cytisine significantly increased 12-month continuous abstinence versus placebo (8.4% vs 2.4%).
Limitations
Single country/center; low absolute quit rates; cytisine was inexpensive relative to alternatives.
Why this record matters
Landmark trial establishing cytisine efficacy; foundation for subsequent cytisine-vs-NRT comparisons.
Related topics
Cytisine; Quit Smoking Medications